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Country singer Billie Jo Spears has sadly passed away from cancer aged 74. Her oldest son, Tim Pierce, says she died at her home in Vidor, Texas this morning (Dec 14). Spears was a leading star in the so-called countrypolitan wave of the 1970s, alongside singers such as Crystal Gale, Charlie Rich and Kenny Rogers. She will be best remembered for her classic hit “Blanket on the Ground” which was her only number one on the US country chart.

Spears was born in Beaumont, Texas on January 14, 1937 and began her professional career aged just 13 with concert appearances and a single titled “Too Old for Toys, Too Young for Boys.” Her career stalled after this, but Spears continued to sing in nightclubs and to pursue a recording contract, which she achieved with United Artists Records following her move to Nashville in 1964. She had little success with United Artists and moved on to Capitol Records in 1968 where things began happening for the singer. Between 1969 and 1971, she managed several top 40 country hits, including “Marty Gray” and “It Could Have Been Me,” but the hits tapered off after 1971. This prompted a move back to United Artist Records in 1975 and what would be the golden period of her career. Her first single on her return to the label was the monster hit “Blanket on the Ground,” which includes one of the best female country vocals of the decade. It was also a big success in the UK reaching number six on the singles chart.

Billie Jo Spears – “Blanket on the Ground”

“Blanket on the Ground” was followed by 11 top 20 hits on the US country chart, including “What I’ve Got in Mind,” “Misty Blue,” “I’m Not Easy,” and “If You Want Me.” The most enduring of these is “What I’ve Got in Mind” which also hit number four on the UK singles chart.

Billie Jo Spears – “What I’ve Got in Mind”

The hits dried up in the 1980s, but Spears still recorded the occasional album and attracted loyal concert audiences over the next two decades, particularly in the UK.